NFL approves a third quarterback on game days
For the first time since 2010, the NFL has decided to allow teams to have a uniformed third quarterback on the bench during the 2023 season.
The bizarre and tragic loss of both San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks to injury in last season’s NFC Championship Game has led to a new rule in the NFL.
When first Brock Purdey and then Josh Johnson went down in the NFC final agains the Philadelphia Eagles, the game turned into a one-sided romp as running back Christian McCaffrey ran a wildcat offense for the rest of the game. It is worth saying here that the rule was actually proposed by the Detroit Lions and not the 49ers.
The NFL on Monday approved a new rule allowing teams to activate a third quarterback on game days beginning in the 2023 season.
“Each team may designate an emergency third quarterback from its active/inactive list of 53 players who will be eligible to be activated during the game if the first two quarterbacks are unable to participate in the game due to injury,” the league said in a statement.
The conditions
In order for the third quarterback to be used, he must be on the 53-player roster prior to the start of the season, that is, he cannot be called up from the practice squad. Also, he can only play if the other two quarterbacks are injured or ejected.
If one of the injured quarterbacks is cleared to return to the game, the third must return to the bench.
The emergency quarterback previously existed in the NFL from 1991 to 2010.